Inspired by Thomas Hobbes' political philosophy, La vie attend delves into the dynamic interplay of power and fear among five men. Blurring the lines between dance and theatre, it immerses spectators in a world of shifting alliances and hidden motives.


La vie attend delves into our survival instincts, where the desire for power and the power of fear intersect. In this exploration, a group of five men become the focal point, embodying roles as teammates, instigators, witnesses, victors, and mourners. Their interactions are a dynamic dance of secrets and strategy, played out on a stage where they vie for attention and affection, both from their audience and each other.

In its vulnerability and rawness, La vie attend challenges preconceived notions of performance, inviting audiences to confront the fragility of societal constructs. This immersive experience leaves spectators questioning their role in the unfolding drama, ultimately redefining the boundaries between performer and observer as they traverse a space of uncertainty, where hope and fear coexist in a delicate balance. In this chimerical, visceral, and vulnerable work, neither party is certain of who holds the reins of power, making La vie attend a compelling examination of human nature and the intricate dance of power dynamics in contemporary society.

  • Photo 1 © Danse-Cité (Joe Danny Aurélien, Marc Boivin, Simon-Xavier Lefebvre, Milan Panet-Gigon, Nicolas Patry)

    Photo 2 © Guzzo Desforges (Nicolas Patry, Joe Danny Aurélien, Simon-Xavier Lefebvre, Milan Panet-Gigon, Marc Boivin)

    Photo 3 © Guzzo Desforges (Nicolas Patry, Milan Panet-Gigon)

    Photo 4 © Danse-Cité (Milan Panet-Gigon, Joe Danny Aurélien)

    Photo 5 © Guzzo Desforges (Nicolas Patry, Marc Boivin)

    Photo 6 © Guzzo Desforges (Nicolas Patry, Marc Boivin)

David + Emily on La vie attend:

As co-choreographers of La vie attend, our fascination lay in the intricate interplay of strategy, sportsmanship, and camaraderie, often lurking beneath the surface of human interactions. We were drawn to the omnipresence of these primal drives, manifesting in both subtle and overt ways across social spheres, from the grand scale to the minutiae of daily life.

From the outset, we envisioned a work that would peel back the layers of vulnerability among men, spanning generations, within a space that was both challenging and supportive. We wanted to create an environment where men could confront their fears, their desires for power, and their struggles for affection in a way that felt authentic and cathartic.

Yet, we were cautious not to confine our narrative solely within the realm of masculinity. Rather, we endeavored to craft a multidimensional portrayal of life that would be narrated by five outstanding performers hailing from a multitude of dance and theatre practices, capturing its richness, contradictions, and enduring truths.

La vie attend emerged as a testament to the human experience—a tapestry woven with threads of power, fear, and the timeless quest for authenticity in an ever-evolving world.

Press

  • "One emerges shaken, galvanized."

    - Gulaine Massoutre, Revue JEU

  • "From power, to fear, the spectator is rocked in a succession of choreographic, theatrical, and architectural tableaux, alternating between laughter, questioning, and hypnosis."

    - Mélanie Boisliveau, DF DANSE

  • "La vie attend speaks of the limits of the world of appearances and that of intimacy. The gestural language, elastic and sensual, dances between anticipation, sequential movements, and occasional bursts, creating expansive kinesthetic spheres around the five performers."

    - Catherine Lalonde, LE DEVOIR

  • "These sixty minutes spent together fly by."

    - Évelyne Londei-Shortall, Reporters Audacieux

  • "Emily Gualtieri and David Albert-Toth are a duo of choreographers to follow, whose approaches are rich and fascinating. Their work, bringing together theatrical exploration, contemporary themes, and always great physicality, is in full evolution."

    - Laurane Van Branteghem, Artichaut magazine

La vie attend | Trailer 02


Concept & creation: David Albert-Toth, Emily Gualtieri

Dancer-collaborators: Joe Danny Aurélien, Marc Boivin, Simon-Xavier Lefebvre, Milan Panet-Gigon, Nicolas Patry

Text: David Albert-Toth in collaboration with the dancer-collaborators
Lighting and Set Design: Paul Chambers
Music: David Drury
Costume Design: Angela Rassenti


Outside Eyes: Ginelle Chagnon, Étienne Lepage, Jamie Wright

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Production: Parts+Labour
Co-Production & Premiere : Danse-Cité in cooperation with La Chapelle

Partners / Creation Residencies: Circuit-Est Centre Chorégraphique, CCOV (Centre de Création O Vertigo)

This work is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec.

Distinctions: Dora Award Nominee, Outstanding Ensemble, 2019

2017
60 minutes
5 performers

Header photo © Guzzo Desforges (Nicolas Patry, Milan Panet-Gigon)
Press photo © Guzzo Desforges (Milan Pant-Gigon, Joe Danny Aurélien)